Minister Wilson: Work Permit Moratorium

February 3, 2011

[Updated with video] Minister of Economy, Trade & Industry Kim Wilson announced today [Feb. 3] there will be a moratorium on work permits in the landscape gardener, cleaners, kitchen and bar porters, housekeepers and skilled labourer categories and applications will be denied until Immigration officials are satisfied Bermudians are being given first priority in these areas.

“This is something that this Ministry believes is in the best interest of those many Bermudians who have faced redundancies in recent months and who are currently unemployed,” said Minister Wilson.

The moratorium will be in place for three months and is subject to review at the end of that period. The moratorium is applicable to initial applications as well as renewals.

All permit submissions in these categories which have been on hold and all future submissions will be denied until the relevant departments are satisfied that Bermudians are given first priority in being considered for available positions in these areas. In accordance with the Immigration Act, applicants will retain the right of appeal to the Minister.

Minister Wilson was speaking at a Cabinet press conference held to mark Premier Paula Cox’s first hundred days in office.

“Simply put, ladies and gentlemen, the number of redundancies is growing,” she said. “… And the objective of the moratorium is to secure employment opportunities for Bermudians in a declining job market.

” … I expect that the Ministry will receive its share of criticism for this decision, however in this current economy, I think even the staunchest critics will agree that it cannot be business as usual and employers have a greater responsibility to ensure that Bermudians are put back to work.”

Minister Wilson’s full remarks follow below:

Good afternoon,

During the past 100 days, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has sought to introduce innovative solutions aimed at sustaining and safeguarding our Bermudian workforce, as well as ensuring that the needs of our business partners were adequately addressed.

At times, admittedly, this has been a delicate balance – and based on the current economic climate, we envisage that it will continue to be for some time to come.

Ladies and gentlemen the reality is that we can no longer deny that the financial challenges which have had a strangle hold on countries and governments world-wide, have not had an effect on Bermuda’s economy and workforce.

We’ve all seen the headlines citing job losses. We’ve all heard the discussion of redundancies in practically every sector of our community.

In fact, just last evening, we heard the latest announcement of Universal Electric’s proposed layoff of several staff members. There is genuine concern and unease. All of which are quite warranted.

As Minister, I am mandated to ensure that our Bermudian labour force is adequately supported.

Granted these have been difficult and challenging times – and in such times, hard and purposeful decisions need to be made in order to protect our fellow Bermudians. And steps have already been taken to ensure this.

In addition to the job training and employment placement services provided at the Department of Labour and Training, you will recall that in August 2010, the then Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing, implemented a moratorium on all work permit applications for certain categories.

This hold remains in effect today.

While there were a myriad of factors that contributed to that decision, chief among which was the preservation of Bermudian jobs, the decision to continue the hold during the first 100 days has not been taken lightly.

And so today, I wish to announce a moratorium that removes the hold and causes those applications in the landscape gardener, cleaners, kitchen and bar porters, housekeepers and skilled labourer categories to be denied.

This is something that this Ministry believes is in the best interest of those many Bermudians who have faced redundancies in recent months and who are currently unemployed.

The moratorium will be in place for three months and is subject to review at the end of that period. The moratorium is applicable to initial applications as well as renewals.

To be clear, all permit submissions in the landscape gardener, cleaners, kitchen and bar porters, housekeepers and skilled labourer categories that have been on hold and all future submissions will be denied until we are satisfied that Bermudians are given first priority in being considered for available positions in these areas. In accordance with the Act, applicants will retain the right of appeal to the Minister.

Simply put, ladies and gentlemen, the number of redundancies is growing.

And the objective of the moratorium is to secure employment opportunities for Bermudians in a declining job market.

Data from the final quarter of 2010 showed an increased number of persons registering and re-registering with the Department of Labour and Training.

This is very worrying to me as a Minister and it should be very concerning to the people of this country.

I expect that the Ministry will receive its share of criticism for this decision, however in this current economy, I think even the staunchest critics will agree that it cannot be business as usual and employers have a greater responsibility to ensure that Bermudians are put back to work.

As it relates to our industry partners, it is not the desire of Government to hamper the productivity of your businesses – quite the contrary.

I assure you, we are taking a balanced approach. We are here to assist employers with finding good employees and running successful businesses.

To that end, we will continue to consider work permit applications in those areas where the human resources are critical to the success of our global competitiveness.

We recognize that we compete in a global marketplace and we will fiercely defend our competitive position, however a part of that process is to ensure a stable and healthy society wherein our people are able to work to provide for their basic needs.

Finally, in order for this to be successful, those Bermudians who have been displaced from the job market must express a genuine desire to become employed once again. This means applying for jobs in the above mentioned categories.

I do hope you take advantage of this opportunity, because at the end of the day, this initiative is aimed at assisting you so that you can provide for your families and in turn make a significant contribution to society.

And this can only happen by becoming gainfully employed.

Thank you.

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Comments (35)

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  1. J.P. Wilson says:

    Please open the books on every company that has let Bermudians go while still holding permits over the period of this recession. The public should know who these companies are so the outspoken owners will be seen for what they are and informed decision of who to contract with can be made. There need to be incentives to contract with 100% Bermudian companies (somewhat like the EEZ)and give us much needed Tax breaks now more than ever.

    • bill says:

      JP, opening up the books on companies that have ex-pats is only going to embarrass the locals that we have hired over these good years. They didn’t show up for work, they bs’ed around for 5 of the 6 hours worked. Now suddenly, for the first time in yours, mine and everyone else besides the PLP’s friends, actually have to produce something in a day.
      As for these said companies……l am sure they are just trying to provide a service to the community by keeping the costs down, yes you might be good for a week, but are you going to be good for 335 days a year making money for the companies your begging to have thrown in jail? l really doubt it, why don’t you start a company and see for yourself how easy it is to get the work, and complete it with a profit, in a recession, with your hands tied behind your back like the rest of us.

  2. Call as it is says:

    Heard it all before!!

    • Cleancut says:

      Yep! same old. baby face Minister. “LADIES AND GENTLEMEN”. “INNOVATIVE DECISIONS” “DELICATE BALANCE” “GENERAL CONCERN” “LADIES AND GENTLEMAN” “PRESERVATION OF BERMUDIAN JOBS”. etc,etc,etc. boy! its like watching Star Search!

  3. Choir Boy says:

    If Bermudians want these jobs then they will have to learn work evenings, weekends, May 24th & Cup Match. Lastly & most important – they will have to show up for work.

    • itwasn't me says:

      I wish I can call you an exeggerating liar, racist, expat alarmist but I can’t !
      I saw the stark naked truth back in the mid 90′s…..a Fisheries work crew on Crow Lane around 10am……the Azorean guys raking, clipping, sweeping, trimming…..the Bermudian guys donuts in hand, taking a coffee break.

      • Dragging A Lure says:

        To:itwasn’t me,

        During the same period I witness (you guess)standing outside Hamilton businesses (anytime of the day) with a coffee cup and cigarette in hand chattering away, about Bermudians unethical work habits that included eating donuts while their coffee drinking, cigarette smoking colleagues were at their desk.(Still happening)as we talk.

        Cheers

        • itwasn't me says:

          yep, there are bad examples on both sides. unfortunately the flip side usually has the upper hand due to the blimey affect i.e. selective vision. what um sayin is that we make it harder for the government to crack down when we don’t show up for work, show up late, lack efficiency, etc. This may be our island, but know one owes us a job, we still have to compete as if we were in Canada, US or UK.

          • Watching says:

            it wasn’t me – I agree with you, in a way, but I also believe that our country DOES “owe us” a job, in some respect – this is because we have the right to work, granted to us by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which Bermuda is a signatory. Article 23 says: “Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.” If you cannot count on your Government to assist you with this, then who can you count on?

            I don’t condone any sort of laziness or inefficiency at work, but I DO believe in putting Bermudians in those jobs first. I myself lived in Canada for 7 months recently, and I expereinced first hand what it is like to “compete” for a job there. Canadians look after their own first, as do many other countries. I could not even get a job working at the local Walmart or MacDonalds – and I am married to a Canadian! Basically, the government there does it best to discourage foreigners from getting jobs; Canadians ALWAYS get first pick. Funny how so many Canadians come here to work and we throw our arms wide open, but they never return the favour to Bermudians.

            • JimmyJohn says:

              How does your country OWE you a job??? Your country gives you the right to work in any field and accept any job you are offered but it by no means is responsible for you finding one. Sounds to me you wish for a Socialist society.

              • navin r johnson says:

                Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country…

        • Cleancut says:

          So did Einstein, don’t judge peoples habits you see in public view. you have no idea what that person achieves at work.

      • mad indian says:

        F.Y.I to itwasn’t me at 10 am it is coffee break for the guys at parks…what do you during a coffee break ?

        • itwasn't me says:

          THAT’S MY POINT ACE BOY……WHICH GROUP WANTS JOB SECURITY MORE?

    • J.P. Wilson says:

      This Bermudian worked 14hr days, seven days, and requested to work Cup Match and was denied in favor of a permit worker, a decision made by a permit worker. This has not been an unusual situation either. One of the major problems is too many non-Bermudians calling the shots in favor of their own. For example, in a dining room a Captain on a permit is going to favor his country men who are waiting tables by giving them the best shifts and sections. A Bermudian trying to make it as a waiter in this scenario will be disheartened by regularly getting shafted and having no chance of ever making it into the Captain position since no matter how hard he works the employer will keep raising the bar in order to keep the permit. Same thing in the construction industry with Foremen who keep the local tradesmen down and give them the worst work and do all they can to discredit them, because they are looking out for themselves and their own. The practice of constantly raising the bar of certification and experience for a position is getting silly at this point, the example of a porter who requires five years experience has been cited but I have seen the exact same thing in construction or even for a warehouse position. Lets not even start on the unfairness of working alongside a permit worker who is enjoying benefits of housing/transportation/cable/internet/laundry/flights home etc. on top of having first picks of the choice work, who then has the nerve to openly degrade our working local men and women. How is it possible today that a local can be “laid off” while a permit worker is still enjoying employment? This is what needs to change and perhaps we are getting on the right track, finally, in these trying times.

      • Ex-Bermudian says:

        To J.P Wilson,

        You are so right this is the problem ex-pats manage all the jobs, they do not
        want you if you are hard work,experienced,degreed, then you are a problem for
        them and there permit! and yes they will discredit and degrade to get you to Quit or find away to lay you off, you need to rememeber these guy are making
        Big money and living a very good life in Bermuda, Bermuda is the largest training ground for ex-pats in the world!.

        Just look around and see who is smiling, they will do anything to keep you out!
        Please take some time and read all the blog’s and reply by ex-pats and you will
        see you are the man out! and I know because this has happen to me, but keep the
        faith Bermudian’s are tired of this change is coming!!!

        • JimmyJohn says:

          I think this is the exception rather than the norm. You two sound very bitter about this almost to the point of “conspiracy theory”.
          If these cases you speak of are true, why has no one reported this to Immigration and if so have they investigated the claim?? What did they find out??
          Maybe they are just stories???

  4. Joe says:

    And once again the assumption has been made that there are Bermudians who want, and can work in these job categories with the same degree of professionalism as those already employed. And if so, why didn’t they apply for the jobs in the first place? It also suggests that an all-Bermudian company is somehow better, more efficient, or more desirable than a company with guest workers. Why? However I do understand the logic and need to keep Bermudians employed but there must be a better -and more co-opted way- of working with employers to obtain the same goal rather than a moratorium. Yes, it is not business as usual, but this is a very usual approach for Bermuda. Ho hum.

  5. Pondering says:

    This is like amateur hour. It is painful to watch our “Government” govern. Clearly getting bad advice from that joke-of-an-immigration- board. Moratoriums are punitive and reactionary. Instead, you should consider each application on the merits of the company. This measure will not help anyone. Instead, you will see these companies close because they will not be able to secure staff.

  6. Malachi says:

    It is really annoying to read comments insinuating that all Bermudians are lazy. I was made redundant more than a year ago and to-date, have not found employment in my field of expertise. I did, however, manage to find a job outside my field and I currently earn approximately one quarter of what I earned before being made redundant. Currently, I am working 25 hours a week (down from 35 hours a week because business is slow). In spite of this………I still work more than 35 hours a week in spite of the fact that I only get paid for 25!
    Sop you can call me lazy if you like!

    • itwasn't me says:

      @ Malachi, no-one feels more anger than myself when good workers are made to suffer with the bad. Hope things work out for you M8

  7. Triangle Drifter says:

    JP, no doubt that incidents of migrant worker favouritism, as you say, exist.i would believe that these are the exception rather than the majority.

    Employers do not complain about Bermudian work habits without basis. Unfortunately the few Bermudians who do work on Cup Match, make good time reularly, work late when needed & are productive on the job are not the majority.

    The good are stereotyped with the majority.

  8. juanachange says:

    A pleasant morning to all readers.

    I have been working here in Bermuda for the past three years now. For a foreign worker, Bermuda is a great place to work. Sad to say I have been hearing stories about disrespectful individuals towards foreign workers. But these stories are not enough for me to say that Bermudians are bad. This is just same with other countries. Some people are okay, some are not; but life has to go on.

    I am very thankful for the opportunity that Bermuda has given to foreign workers like me, and most thankful to those Bermudians who accepted me as a person and not as a worker in a foreign land only. I am not disregarding other individuals who do not fall under the category of “Good Bermudians”, but it is better not to say anything at all.

    For those years that I have been working here, not a single heading in the newspaper ever said “Thank you to all foreign workers”, “Foreign workers helped Bermudians so much”, “foreign workers are people also like Bermudians”.

    Foreign workers in Bermuda are Foreign workers.

    Is that so?

    Any Bermudian who wants to go to my country, for pleasure or business, will be treated with outmost respect without even saying a word. If you do business, well thank you so much because that will mean opportunity to my country. If pleasure is your purpose, well I am so proud to show you my country.

    Work Permit Moratorium: All applications will be denied until Immigration officials are satisfied Bermudians are being given first priority. I thought this has been going on. I thought this has been the process ever since.

    Why not just say, Bermuda will stop accepting foreign workers until further notice.

    Employers, this is your opportunity.

    Employers, your foreign workers trust you.

    Employers, your foreign workers are not just working for the money. They are working for a purpose.

    If you can only hear their prayers.

    Nanny: Lord, please keep my employer healthy all the time.
    Please help me keep these children well nourished, well dressed, well mannered.
    Please help my employer, he is 90 years old and still want to enjoy life.
    Please keep my family safe back home.

    Construction workers: Lord, I hope Bermuda’s economy gets better so that many people would have a chance to build new houses, and reconstruct their old houses.

    These people are not just working for themselves, like you they have purpose in life, and like you they are PEOPLE.

    Are you sure that the reason why lots of Bermudian are unemployed because of foreign workers?

    Are you sure that these foreign workers make Bermuda’s Economy WORSE?

    Is there anyone brave enough to say something positive about Foreign Workers? How they help your country, your people.

    We love Bermuda, and we are thankful to Bermudians (good or bad).

    • just fishin' says:

      Don’t worry….juanachange, the silent majority DO appreciate the positive benefits of guest workers in Bermuda and thank you all in their thoughts every day. The majority of ALL of the people in Bermuda, both locals and guest workers, ARE hard workers and their work is appreciated by the majority of people every day….waiters,clerical workers, nannies, every job there is…….that’s what makes the world go around. We tend to forget that Bermuda IS no different than anywhere else on this planet. Sure, there is a loud minority who complain…..read this page….but it’s no different than what is going on in all the countries of Europe, than what is going on in the USA, these days.
      Every country in the West needs imported labour, like it or not….it’s all about demographics. As a Bermudian when I read or listen to negative comments about the impact of guest workers in Bermuda I feel uneasy, thinking about the many Bermudians who choose to work outside of Bermuda. Are they not displacing a national in the country of their new residence? Yes, I am sure there are a minority of Bermudians working overseas who feel that they cannot get a job here because they are not appreciated, whetever, but the majority are away because they want to be…..and not for political or racial or whetever reason…they simply enjoy the lifestyle and what they do. These are difficult times for a lot of people in the world but we are not going to get anywhere (at least anywhere positive) with vitriol and with xenophobic rants…..mature discussion and mature debate is needed or we will all suffer big time.

    • SJS says:

      If there was no appreciation, you wouldn’t be here. You have to embrace that. At least for your skill set. Economics 101. And now your here, through free will.

      Our little island, stands out against the metropolis of mankind, where huge corporations dictate to the surrounding structure.

      Though we are rapidly arriving there, thanks to, a lack of understanding of how “free will” works, balanced on the bed of bad governance and protectionism, that most agree can’t be sustained. It’s blasting us hard now, years after the warning bells were sounded, as a matter of course, by not just me, my Dad, etc. etc….

      We have been blessed in past decades with a pact that “My word is my Bond”. A mutual agreement put to our arriving friends. That they will be embraced and given a seat at the table. It’s with heartbreak that this has dissolved, and I feel real pain, not understanding why this was allowed.

      I need to place all our cards on the table, I know we need a shift in mindset that besets us as foes, we have to have the natural common grounds that should have been there to sustain us through our challenges

      That connective tissue is gone, distrust is manifest.

      Can we adopt a non threatening approach to our stakeholders, (Us Included?)

      And embrace the future together?

      SJS

  9. Ex-Bermudian says:

    I can see that the only one’s that are upset about this is the ex-pats
    what are you doing reply to this check the time you should be working or
    are you acting like Bemudian’s! Only in Bermuda can ex-pats act like this!

    Bermudian’s you need to come together and speak with one voice to right
    the ship! the Gov should work for its pepole but that has not or will not
    happen. we need to start acting like the once Proud pepole we were!

    Only you can make things change and now is the Time!

    • juanachange says:

      Most Bermudians are not even talking to each other with outmost sincerity.

      Just like any other human beings.

      What they really need to do is to look at themselves.

    • Not Surprised says:

      Gimme a Break. I am Bermudian, but i can tell you that ex-pats on this island live in fear. From individuals just like you. OH YES only in Bermuda are ex-pats treated as horribly as they are and the ones who do it get away with it.

      I in a sense agree with this policy, but this has been in place so some time now. This isn’t new. The minister is just saying it will continue.

      Bermudians yes we need to come together and see once and for all that we are big fish in a little pond and hypocrits. Let fix our pond.

      And, ex-bermudian, I really hope your comment was written in sarcasm…..you can’t be serious and if you are gimme a break!! And i hope you plan to stay in Bermuda and not even go anywhere on vacation. ‘Cause those people you treat badly, don’t deserve it. Just remeber you are going to THEIR country to vacation and you expect to be treated with courtersy when you’re there.

    • navin r johnson says:

      Ex-Bermudian you are what is wrong with this country you fool…Every Expat who leaves does not open a job for you…they take 2 jobs with them..you are getting exactly what you ask for just look at the vacant office buildings and massive debt level…the problem is not with the Expat it is with your Government for they have you on the brink…and you are correct about one thing only in Bermuda can expats act like this….figure that one out you dipstick…

  10. CanadianLuv says:

    I agree with this new policy. Bermudians if qualified for the job they should get first preference vs. an immigrant worker. Just as they do in Canada.
    However it is the employer that creates the job description & minimum qualifications.
    The department of Human Resources should work with these employers to ensure their requirements are in line with the job & to over see the process. I believe that is the only way to make this policy actually work for Bermudians.

  11. juanachange says:

    Minister Wilson, Good luck.

    I know that you’re just working for common good.

    Good bless Bermuda and its people.

  12. Huh? says:

    This blanket moratorium is just going to hurt small business. Sad. I hope that this doesn’t ultimately lead to further loss of jobs.

  13. Devrae says:

    Hey how about this…lets give every work permit holder 3months off as of April 1st 2011. That way we as Bermudians can clearly see by our own ridiculous research that everyone is needed to run this country!
    What the problem is is that our government needs to stop giving contracts to the same businesses and actually incorporate more smaller businesses to keep EVERYBODY fed! OMG is this rocket science….just look around and see what labour companies get the Bigger contracts and what the nationality of those workers are…its not that Bermudians are lazy its about paying a person their worth! If a foreign worker does a job for $20/hr and the Bermudian charges $30 because thats his experience most people are going to choose the Cheaper route!
    So lets keep laying the blame on the expat because its easy to blame them…they have no rights in this island! But how about blaming the Bermudian Employer who says one thing and then pays them another and holds their airline ticket n workpermit over their head if they don’t work from sun up to sun down! Oh and lets not forget your restaraunts when ALL your staff is foreign but the cashier is Bermudian and female!( And gets what we ALL eat lunch and dinner there every day so ALL of you Bermudians stop BS). So keep laying the blame and bitchin about it all, those that run these businesses are getting cheap labour and charging US the client max price. Maybe in your busy day of ranting you should talk to your local window cleaner and sandwich maker and ask how his/her family is back in the Azores or the Philippines! Oh and how many hours you work to send enough money home to your families then we will definetly know WHO to blame then….Just go up to Western Union and spend the day…

  14. One Love says:

    The reality is that in order for Bermuda to operate it needs some foreign expertise. Most right thinking people, black and white, local and ex-pat get this on some level. But what I don’t get is how under a pro Bermudian, PROGRESSIVE LABOUR Party, we go from a workforce that employed approx 18% non Bermudians (under a UBP govt. ) to what we reached prior to the downturn in our economy. Contrary to popular opinion, the PLP have been very, very good to ex-pat workers. Don’t take my word for it, just check government statistics.

  15. ricky says:

    The one business that seems to get a free ride when it comes to work permits is the media, especially the print media. The coverage of Bermudians and local events, be it business, politics, arts or sports is largely covered by non Bermudians. I find it almost impossible to understand how we could have a reporter or reporters spend up to 35 years in this country reporting the sports news. Really? In short what some of the media outlets have effectively done is hire, groom, promote and promote and promote to the top, non Bermudian reporters. I ask, could they not find Bermudians? Again,have they done enough to attract bright Bermudians and when they find them, have they done enough to grow them.
    It is mind boggling that we could have a non Bermudian in one of these jobs for decades. Mind boggling. When we address issues like these, the discussion over work permits in areas where we need foreign expertise will diminish.